Residents of Uralagallu stage protest in Sagar demanding ‘freedom’ from lack of basic amenities, including electricity, roads and school

Shivamogga

The residents of Uralagallu village in Barangi hobli of Sagar taluk of Shivamogga district in Karnataka staged a night-long protest on the eve of Independence Day, demanding ‘freedom’ from the lack of basic amenities, including electricity, roads and school

Under the banner of Shivamogga Zilla Raitha Sangha, led by Dinesh Shiravala, the residents began the protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the office of the Sagar City Municipal Council around 5 p.m. on August 14.

For over six decades, residents of the village have been seeking electricity supply. Interestingly, the families settled in the village were displaced following construction of Linganmakki dam, part of the Sharavati Hydel Power Project. The people who parted with their land to generate power have not got electricity.

Dinesh Shiravala, leader of the Sangha, said that residents of the village had not got any amenities in independent India. There is neither a road nor a school. “The nation is celebrating its 79^th Independence Day. However, the people of Uralagallu are fighting for basic amenities. The government should respond to their demands,” he said.

Taken into custody

The police took the protesters into custody around 6 a.m. on August 15. They were moved to police stations in Sagar, Kargal and Anandapura. The protesters have resolved to continue their protest.

“The police took us into custody early morning. We have been fighting for our basic needs. The government should listen to our demands and fulfil them,” said Nagaraj Salkod, a resident of Uralagallu.

In Shivamogga, Minister for School Education Madhu Bangarappa, responding to the villagers’ protest, said that the government of Karnataka is committed to fulfilling the needs of the villagers. “The work to supply power had been taken up,” he added.